Automatic telephone responding apparatus



Oct. 27, 1931. J. L. COLLINS 1,328,733

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3, 1929 '7 SheetsSheet l Oct. 27, 1931. COLLINS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5. 1929 Oct. 27,1931. .1. COLLINS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS Filed Oct.

7 Sheets-Sheet 3 wwiiia E 'IIIIIII.

Oct. 27, 1931. J. L. COLLINS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 5, 1929 Oct. 27, 1931. J. L. COLLINS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1929 Oct. 27, 1931.

J. coyuus AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 3. 1929 7 h t -she t 6 Oct. 27,1931. Q COLLINS AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE RESPONDING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1929 '7Sheets-Sheet '7 gwwmto'a Patented Oct. 27, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JAMES neona'ns, or DALLAS, 'rnxns aurom'nc TELEPHONE ansronnme Armma'rus Application filed October a, 1929. Sriai No. 397,019.

This invention relates to newand useful improvements in automatic telephone responding apparatuses.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus which may be connected in the circuit of an ordinary telephone set for automatically responding to an incoming call without in any way interfering with or hampering the usual operation of the telephone set and which may be cut out ofthe telephone circuit whenever it is desired to do so;

A particular object of the invention is to .provide an apparatus for answering telephone calls whereby any message or answer which the subscriber desires to have transmitted to the parties calling, may be dictated into the apparatus in a simple and expeditious manner and without the use of dexterity or auxiliary devices. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for responding to telephone calls wherein a stopping switch-is automatically positioned at the end of each dlctation to operate means for returning the reproduc- .er to the starting point together with means for arresting the re'produc er at the starting point and stopping the apparatus with the parts so positioned; thereby automatically spacing the reproducing mechanism to start and stop at the beginning and end of each particular message dictated without manual manipulation or calculation.

The result of this is that one may dictate a message and this will be recorded on the cylinder and reproduced each time an incoming call is transmitted over the telephone circuit, the number'of calls answered being limited only by the capacity of the cylinder to repeat the message. When a fresh message is dictated the reproducing means is automatically spaced and synchronized with that section of the cylinder bearing said message so as to reproduce the new message upon 1ncoming calls and to automatically reset the reproducing means at the beginning of the new message upon completing each call, and to carry out thisoperation automatically for each successive message dictated to the apparatus.

It is obvious that these improvements preclude the use of sterotype or stock messages dictated and recorded upon a cylinder m a separate apparatus and then transferred to .the responding device. This apparatus also permits the reproduction of a message of any length within the capacity of the reproducing cylinder. The improvement also relieves the subscriber from all manual manipulation in spacing the reproducer or setting it at the starting point of the message or making any other adjustments of the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a telephone answering device wherein the reproducing mechanism is automatically moved back to the starting point of the message by a. simple transmission mechanism automatically actuated, whereby the motor and driving parts are permitted to rotate in the same direction and at the same speed constantly throughout the operation of the device.

Still another object of thelinvention is to provide means automatically operated by the driving mechanism of theapparatus for cutting in the transmitter across the telephone line when the driving motor picks up sufiicient speed, thus eliminating the transmission of starting'noises and assuring a normal transmission of the message.

, Another important feature of the invention is to provide cushioning means for retarding the lowering of; the reproducing stylus onto the cylinder, thus preventing injury to the parts, as well as any objectionable noise due' to a sudden contact of the stylus with the cylinder.

A further object of the invention is to provide manually operated means for disengaging the feeding means and also for releasing the starting stop whereby the carriage may be manually shifted for starting a new cylinder or for any other purpose.

Still another object of the invention is to provide manually operated means for releasing the stopping switch when 'dictating and throwing the reversing contacts out of alinement to prevent the return of the carriage until the dictation is completed. and said manual means released.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to .the accompanying drawings in which an example of the invention isshown, and wherein: I

Figure l is a front elevation of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and in starting position,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the appa ratus,

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a partial transverse vertical sectional View taken on the line 66 of F igure 1, r

Figures 7 and 8 are details of the stop for automatically arresting the carriage at the end of its reproducing travel.

Figures 9 and 10 are details of the stop mechanism for arresting the carriage at the end of its return travel and for correctly positioning it to repeat the message,

Figure 11 is a detail of the cushioning means for the reproducing stylus,

Figure 12 is a detail ofthe tension means for setting the stop switch,

Figure 13 is a detail of the feed screw showing the reversing groove,

may travel onthe same.

Figure 14 is a circuit diagram,

Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the apparatus enclosed in a casing,

Figure 16 is a detail of the latch for holdingwthe reproducing stylus elevated,

igure 17 is a detail of the transmitter switch and its operating means, and

Figure 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional view on the line 1818 of Figure 4, and

Figure 19 is a partial vertical sectional view taken on'the line 1919 of Figure 10. This application is filed as a continuation in part of my application filed May 3, 1928, Serial No. 274,861.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a table or supporting plate mounted at each end upon U-shaped legs 11 and made of metal or other suitable material. On top of the table standards 12, 13 and 14, respectively, are rigidly mounted, either by casting them upon said table or otherwise securing them thereon. The standard 12 has an upright 12 for receiving and supporting one end of a cylindrical track bar 15, the opposite end of which isfastened in the overhanging upper end of the standard 13 (Figures 1 and 3).

A carriage 16 includes a hanger yoke 17 having ball bearing rollers 18 travelling on top of the track bar, whereby saldcarriage The carriage car- Lesa-73a ries the recording and reproducing devices and as various types now manufactured may be used, it is considered unnecessary to go into the details of these parts, except in a general way. The carriage is arched over the track bar and formed with a front arm 19 and a rear arm 20. An ordinary recorder 21 is suspended from the carriage in the usual manner under the arm 19, while any suitable reproducer 22 is suspended upon the carriage 16 under the arm 20.

Adjacent the standard 12 and under the bar 15 is a post 23 in which the usual cylinder mandrel 24 is journaled. One end of this mandrel is free for receiving the cylinder 25 and the other end is journaled in the standard 12. A suitable electric motor 26 is suspended from the underside of the table, as is common practice in dictating machines. The motor has suitable driving connection by means of a belt 27 engaging a grooved pulley 28 fastened on the mandrel, which also carries a pinion 29. All of these parts are incidental to the invention, being elements of machines now manufactured for the trade.

A feed screw 30 is journaled in the standards' 12 and 13 and has a large gear 31 fastened thereon and meshing with the pinion 29, whereby said gear is driven and the feed screw rotated. The. mandrel is driven in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the feed screw is driven in aclockwise direction,

reference being had to the left-hand end of the device.

The arm 19 of the carriage is supported at its lower end on a cylindrical shoe 32 mounted to slide longitudinally of a rock shaft 33 journaled in the standards 12 and 14. The shaft 33 has a groove 34 in its top for receiving the down-turned dog 35 (Figures l and 5) of a. sliding detent 36 mounted on the arm 19 so as to engage the finger 37 (Figure 5) of the hinged stylus plate 38 of the reproducer.

On the end of the shaft 33 adjacent'the standard 14 a finger lever 39 is fastened so as to extend outwardly, as is best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. A collar 40 is secured on the shaft against the inner side of the standard 14 andis attached to the upper end of a coiled spring 41 having its lower end secured to an eye 42in the table 10 on the opposite side of the shaft from said lever. When the lever 39 is depressed the shaft 33 is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 5), thus pulling the detent 36 forwardly in which it is resisted by a coiled spring 43, whereby the hinged stylus plate on the plunger 45,

' a collar 49'on an'angular pull rod 50. When. g

shaft forwardly the plunger will be displaced upwardly. v

,A'lever 47 pivoted at its center carries an ad]usting screw 48 at its forward end resting whileits rear end engages the plunger 45 is displaced upwardly the lever 47 is rocked, whereby the pull rod 50 is pulled downwardly. The upper end of the pull rod is suitably connected in the end of a forwardly extending lever 51 which is secured to the hub of an arm 52 pivoted on the carriagel6, as is best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6.

The arm 52 has a stationary link 53 at its lower end provided with a laterally cxten ding arm 54 (Figure 5) engaging the linger 55 of the pivoted stylus hanger 56 of the reproducer 22. wardly the arm 54 will elevatethe hanger 56 thus raising the stylus 57 from the record 25. The parts are returned to their-normal positions by gravity. Y 7

The shoe 32. as'is best shown in Figures 5 and 6, has a depending bracket 58 on its rear side in which is pivoted a bell crank lever 59. on theouter end of this lever is fastened a half nut engaging the underside of the feed screw 30 and causing the carriage 16 to travel to theright (Figure 1) longitudinally of the cylinder. The'lever 59'carries at'its upper apart b end above its pivot a rearwardly extending spring arm 61 and a forwardly extending rigid arm 62.- The arm 61 has a depending half nut 63 on its outer end provided with a single thread or tooth for engaging a coarse reversing thread 64 in the feed screw 30. The thread or spiral groove 64- is a left-'.

hand thread and reverse to the right-hand threads of the screw. The thread 64 is given a very low pitch and made extremely coarse so as to cause a quick return or reverse travel of the carriage when the nut 63 is engaged with said thread by. the rocking of. the lever 59. The lever 59 and the arm 61 are spaced an adjustable post 65 (Figure 6) so that both nuts 60 and 63 cannot engage the feed screw at the same time. Y

A flexible arm 66 attach of the lever 59 carries (Figure 5) on its outer end so as cylinder 25 and keep the same clean while recording and reproducing. The ull rod 50 has its lower end bent and engaged in a keeper 68 on the bottom of d to the bottom a small brush 67 "1 and 2). ure 4, has a shoulder 7 3 on its hub engaged by When the lever 52 is swung upver 84 will be actuated'to to brush the the le'ver 59 so that said elevated during the return or reverse move- 'ment of the carriage.

A'rook shaft 69 (Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6) is journaled in standards 70 on the plate and is located between the feed screw 30 and the shaft 33. This rock shaft 69 has a flat side 69' normally lying'in contact with the upright leg of the lever 59, as is shown in Fig ures 5 and 6. Upon rocking said shaft the loweredge of its flat portion will swing the lever 59 so as to lower the nut 60 from the feed screw 30 and bring the nut 63 into enageinent with said screw and its thread 64.

Provision is made for both manually and automatically rocking the shaft 69. .The' manualmeans includes a rock shaft 71 journaled in the standards 12 and 14 and having a forwardly extending finger lever 72 fastened thereon near its left-hand end (Figures The lever 72, as is shown in Figthe lower end of a set screw 74 carried by an ear 75 extending from a split collar 76 fastened on the shaft 69. When the finger lever 72 is depressed the shoulder is moved up ward, thus elevating the screw 74 and rocking the shaft 69. An adjustable stop screw 77 niounted in the table 10 limits the depression ofth e lever'7 2. A coiled spring 78 has its lower end attached to the eye 42 (Figures 1 and 3) while its upper end is attached to a collar 79 on the shaft 71; said spring acting to returnthe shaft when the lever is released.

It is obvious that whenever the parts operating the shaft 69 are released to allow the sudden unless checked, thereby permitting the stylus 57 to dent the record 25 by its sudden impact. To check the fall of the reproducing stylus a cylinder 80 is hung from the underside of the table 10 by a hanger 81, as is shown in Figures 1 and 3. The cylinder contains.

a piston 82, as is shown in Figure 11, and this piston is connected by a rod 83 with a bell crank lever pivoted to the hanger and in turn pivoted to the lower end of a link 85.

The link 85 extends through a slot 86 in the table 10 and has its upper ,end pivoted to the outer end of a rearwardly extending arm fastened on the shaft 69. When the finger lever 72 is depressed to rock the shaft 69 the arm 87 will be swung downward, whereby the lepull the piston 82 outwardly in the cylinder 80. The cylinder has connection'with a valve 88 having a ball 89 seated in its lower end and a needle valve 90 arranged transversely. When the piston 82 is pulled outwardly air may freely enter by un-' seating the ball valve 89, but when the piston is moved inwardly by the return movement of 18p valve 90, thus cushioning the return stroke of the piston and allowing the stylus to gently (T contact with the cylinder 25.

producing the message, and b The'travel of the shoe 32 on the shaft 33 and consequently the travel of the carriage 16 is limited by a starting stop A and a reversing stop B. These stops are shown in detail in Figures 7 to inclusive, and also in the various figures of the drawings. By placing the starting stop A at the beginning of the message with respect to its location on the cylinder 25, it is obvious that each time the carriage is returned the reproducing stylus 57 will be automatically positioned to begin replacing the reversing stop B at the end of t e message with relation to its position on'the cylinder, the

carriage will be started upon its return movement at the conclusion of the message. These stops must be arranged to be moved when desired but to be readily and positively locked resting the latter.

in the positions to which they are adjusted.

The stop A includes a shoe or sleeveA 1 slidable on the shaft 71. j An angular arm A 2 extends from theupper side of the shoe and has an'eye A3 loosely encircling the shaft 33. This eye carries an adjustable stop screw A4 in thefpath of the shoe 32 for ar- The shaft 71 has a longitudinal groove 71 at its upper side. The'shoe Al carries a cylindrical bushing A5 'T e bus A-7 in which an eccentric brake block A-8 mounted to rotate in said shoe and provided with an eccentricbore A6 in which the shaft is rotatably mounted. The bushing has inte ral kegs Aa engaging in the groove 71".

ing has a circumferential recess is fastened. Upon depressing the-lever 72 and rocking the shaft 71 the bushing A5 is rotated, whereby the shaft is disconnected from the block, but upon releasing the lever and effecting acounter rotation of the shaft the latter is brought into frictional contact with the block'A-8, whereby the shoe is looked in position against longitudinal movement on the shaft. An arm A10 extends through a. slot All in the shoe A1 and is secured in the bushing A5 so that when-the liiier 72 is depressed the arm is also depressed. It is pointed out that when it is desired to set the stop. A at any given point the finger lever 7 2 isdepressed to rock the shaft 71 and "thus release the shoe. The shoe is pro'vided with a handle bar A-9, which may be used in sliding it along the bar 71. By'sliding the shoe the eye A3 is slid and the stop screw A4 brought to the proper position to arrest the carriage shoe 32 at the starting point.

The stop B comprises a sleeve B,1 mounted on a cylindrical bushing B2 having an eccentric bore B3. The bushing has inte al keys B- t engaging the groove 34 o the shaft 33, as is shown in Figures 7 and tees-pea 8. The bushing isprovided with a circumferential slot B5 and an eccentric brake shoe BG is fastened to the sleeve in said slot so as to be engaged by the shaft 33 and locking the stop inposition. The sleeve has a depending arm. B-7 provided with an eye B8 loosely receiving the shaft 71.

When the lever 39 is depressed to rock the shaft 33 the eccentric bushing B2'will be rotated so as to disengage the shaft 33 from the said bushing whereby the stop B is re leased and is free to move.

A tube 91 is supported at each end uponposts 92 mounted on the standards 12 and 14 and secured by screws 92. This tube, as is shown in Figure 12, has a slot 91 in its bottom. A cord or other flexible connection-.. 93 is secured at one end to one of the screws and passes around the pulley of a sheave 94 connected to one end of a coiled s ring 95 attached to the other screw 92'. The cord passes down through the slot and is attached to a bracket 13-9 on the sleeve B-1. Whenever the stop B is moved to the right (Figure 1) the cord passing through the sheave will extend the spring 95 so that upon unlocking the sleeve the spring tension'ed cord will pull the stop toward the shoe 32.

The bushing B-2, as is shown in Figure '7, extends beyond the left-hand end of the sleeve B1 and has fastenedthereon an in sulating sector 96, which is swung when the shaft 33 and bushing are rotated. This Seetor has a contact 97 adapted to engage a contact 98 (Figure 1) carried at the lower end of an insulating plate 99 secured to the righthand end (Figure 1) of the shoe 32. The

plate 99 carries curved leaf springs 100 extending beyond the contact 98 into the path of the sector 96.

When the stop B is released and is slid by the cord 93, the springs cushion the sector and tend to hold the contacts apart. It is a relay C. This relay includes a base plate I 0-1, of fibre or other insulating material, carried on the lateral foot of a hanger bracket 101 secured to the .under side of thetable 10. An electromagnet 0-2 is mounted on :the base plate and has a bracket C3 at its upper end pivotally supporting an armature plate C 4, which is provided with a weighted arm 6-5 arranged to normally hold one end of the armature above the core of the magnet (Figures 1, 4' and 14).

The weighted end of the plate C4 is pro-- vided with a slot to receive the finger C6 of a trigger C7. The trigger is-mounted on the upper end of cured to the base of the relay, which normally tends to hold the shoulder C-9 of the trigger within the slot C-4, whereby the armature is free to swing. A stop screw C10 limits the downward swing of the armature by the weight C5.

. When the magnet C-2 (Figure 1) is energized, the armature plate -4 is attracted and swungin opposition to the weight C-5, whereby said armature rides above the shoulder C9 and permits the spring C-8 to shift the trigger to the left, thus bringing the shoulder under the armature and supporting it in this position. The trigger C7 carries a hook C11 engaging the upper end of a spring contact arm O12 carried by an insulating block C+13 mounted on the relay base. A stationary contact arm C-11 is carried by the block but insulated from the arm C12. These arms have contacts, as is shown in Figure 1, and when the trigger C'-7 is shifted the hook 0-11 pulls the arm C12 toward the other arm, whereby their contacts engage and the electrical circuit is closed.

The contact arm O-12 has connection with the main circuit wire R, while the con-,

tact arm C-14 has connection with one of the binding posts of the electric motor 26 by means of a circuit wire O-a. The other binding post of the motor is connected to the electric circuit wire S, which includes a cut off switch S. It will be obvious that whenever the relay C is energized and the armature C- l attracted, thus releasing the triger (l -7, the motor circuit will be closed by the contacts of the arms (J-12 and C14, which form a motor switch. i v

In order to manually start the motor when the shaft 33 is rocked by the lever 39, a detent 102 (Figure 4) is mounted to slide vertically through the table 10. On its lower end the detent carries an adjustable bracket 103having a laterall extending spring arm 104 extending over ture C-4 so that whenthe detent is depressed said spring arm will depress the armature and release the trigger C-7 to close the motor switch. The upper end of the detent is offset and slides through a guide 105'fastened to the standard 12.

On its extreme upper endthe detent has a rearwardly directed finger 06 projecting under the flat face 107 of a collar 108 fastened on the shaft 33. When the shaft 33 is V rocked the collar will be rotated, thus depressing the finger 106 and sliding the detent 102 downwardly to operate the armature. A coiled spring 103 (Figure '4) suspended from the table is attached to the.bracket 103 and serves.,to return the parts to their original position when the lever 39 is released.

A telephone transmitter or microphone a leaf spring 0-8 se-- the adjacent end of the armar' arm D1 to swing toward the arm close the transmitter circuit, whereby the- 109 is connected to the reproducer 22 by ashort length of flexible tubing 110 (Figures 3 and 5). The transmitter is supported by a' T-1 and T2 by branch circuitwires T3 and T- l. A cutout switch T5 is connected in the wire T2 and this switch may be located in the front of the housing or casing 112 in which the apparatus may be placed. as is shown in Figure 15. When it is desired to disconnect the-apparatus from the telephone set, it is merely necessary to manipulate this switch.

The wire T2 is also connected with the magnet C2 of the relay C and this magnet is also-connected with the wire T1, but a condenser T6 is connected in the wire T-,-1 between the magnet and the wire T3. On the shaft 113 of the motor 26 is mounted the usual governor 114 which operates a sliding sleeve (Figure 1)' having a metal disc 116 fastened thereon. A switch D connected in the wire T-3 and shown in detail in Figure 17 is operated by the disc.

The switch D comprises spring contact arms D'-1 and D-2 spaced apart and secured in an insulating block D3 mounted on a bracket D l. As is best shown in Fig- After-the motor has attained suificient speed the centrifugal action'of the governor 114 will draw the sleeve toward the motor, whereby the disk 116 will be moved to the left, (Figures D-2 and relay circuit will be cut out owing to the condenser T6.

The collar 108 carries a stop screw 117 in the path of the eye A.-3 of the starting stop. In placing the cylinder 25 on. the mandrel 24: the lever 72 is depressed to rock the shaft 69 and elevate the stylus 57, ashas been hereinbefore explained. This permits the carriage 16 to be freely moved also so that the shoe 32 may bemoved to the extreme left (Figure 1) to engage the stop screw A 4=. The parts are thus in positionto begin dictating the message- Where the device is placed in the case 112, as is shown in Figure 15, amouth piece or dictating trumpet 118 j extends through a longitudinal slot 119 and is suitably connected with the recorder 21, as is 1 and 17) thus permitting the indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5. The casing is provided with an opening 120 for admitting the cylinder and also has a slot 121 for the lever 72 and a slot 122 for the lever 39.

When it is desired to dictate the message the operator depresses the lever 39, whereby the shaft 33 is rocked and the plunger (Figure 6) is elevated to operate the pull rod to elevate the stylus 57, and at the same time to actuate the detent 36 to lower the .stylus 38 onto the cylinder. When the shaft 33 is rocked, the detent 102 (Figures 1 and 4) is actuated by the collar 108, whereby the spring arm 104 depresses the armature H to release the trigger C7 and close the motor circuit through the contact arms 0-12 and C 14. The motor 26 thus being started drives the pulley 28 by means of the belt 27, whereby-rotation is imparted to the mandrel 24 and the feed screw 30.by the pinion 29 and gear 31. The half nut (Figure 6) being in engagement with'the screw 30 will. cause the carriage 16 to travel to the right (Figure 1).

' When the operator depresses the lever 39 the sector 96 is swung so that the contacts 97 and 98 are out of registration. The lever 39 is held depressed during the dictation and the shoe 32 pushes the stop 3 along the shaft 33 as the dictation progresses and the carriage is fed along the cylinder. When the dicta- "tion of themessage is complete the operator releases the lever 39 which permits the spring 41 to rock the shaft 33 back to its normal position, whereby the detent 102 is operated "by the sprin 103 (Figure 4) to release the armature 0 the relay C. At the same time the detent 36'is operated by the expansion spring 43 to raise the recording stylus 44.

On the arm A-2 of the starting stops is 'mounted-abracket 123 (Figures 1 and 10).

A spring pressedcontact arm 124 (Figures 1 and 2) is pivoted on this bracket so. as to swing downwardly against the tension of its Y spring and to' normally engage a contact 125 alsocarried by the bracket. Thecontact arm has aQfinger 126 extending therefrom formed of insulating material-and carryng an upright screw'127.

As is shown in Fi re 14, the arm l24 is connected b a wire "motor 26, w ile the contact '125 is connected by awire R-1 with the circuit wire- R, thus 1 closing the) motor circuit. When the .parts v are in starting position the arm 62 (Figures 1 and '16) rests upon the screw 127. This arm is attached to the bell crank lever 59 and is swung downwardly by a coiled spring 128 (Figures 1 and 6)" extending between the arm and a bracket 129 fastened on the shoe 32.

When thescrew is under the arm 62 ,the contact arm 124 will be depressed and thus out of engagement with the contact 125, but

as the carriage progresses during the dictation the arm rides off ofthe screw,.thus freewith one side of the "latter.

ing the ponta-ct arm 124 which engages the contact 125 to close the motor circuit therethrough. Thus when the lever 39 is released at the end of the dictation the motor circuit is closed not only through the relay but through the contacts124 and 125. And when the lever 72 is depressed the arm A--10 is also depressed and being so positioned engages the finger126, thus holding the contact 124 out of engagement with the contact 125. The contacts being out of engagement provide for the spacing of the carriage 16 and the stop A to the left when a new record is placed on the mandrel or when a preceding message is a desired to be repeated.

As is best shown in Figure 14, the contact 97 of the sector 96 is connected by a wire 8-1 with a solenoid S2, which in turn is connected with a circuit wire S by a wire S3.

"The contact 98 is connected by a wire M1 1) and its core S-4 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 130, the opposite end of which is pivoted to one arm of a bell crank lever 131 (Figures 1, 4 and 18). This lever is fastened on the lower end of a vertical rock shaft 132. The other arm of the lever is connected with a coiled spring 133 attached to the table and pulling the lever in opposition to the magnet. The lever has a delpendin lug 134 adjacent the finger C6.

T e sha t 132 extends upwardly through the plate to the table 10 and a tubular pedestal 135 which supports the shank of a clutch yoke 136 (Figures 2 and 4). The yoke has engagement with a clutch collar 137 slidable on the trunnion 30 of the feed screw 30 on which the gear 31 is fastened. The collar is caused to rotate by a key 138 and is adapted to engage a clutch collar 139 loosely confined on the trunnion adjacent the gear 31. Thus when the solenoid is energized and the lever 131 swung the yoke 136 is swung, thus shift-- ing the collar 137 into engagement with the .collar. 139 and. imparting rotation to the.

The collar 139 has an arm 140 (Figures 2 and 4). carrying a roller 141. The split collar 76, which 'is fastened on the shaft 69 has a cam 142 andwhen the arm 140 is rotated the roller 141 engages the cam and rides down the same, thus rocking the shaft 69, whereby the lever 59 (Figure 6) is rocked so as to swing the nut 60 away from the screw 30 and engage the nut 63 with the thread 64 for reversing the carriage. When the shaft 69 is rocked the arm 62 is swung upward against the tension of the spring 128 and a latch 143 (Figures 1, 6 and 16) pivoted tothe bracket sage upon an incoming telephone call.

its elevated position, whereby the stylus 57 is held in its elevated position free from the cylinder 25. 1

When the dictation of the message is finished the operator may hold the lever 39 depressed, thus permitting the carriage 16 to travel while the cylinder is making a few revolutions. When the lever is released the solenoid S2 is immediately energized so that the bell crank lever 131 is swung causing the lug 134 to strike the finger C6 and release the trigger C.7, thus breaking the contact between the motor switch arms C-12 and C14. At the same time the yoke 136 is actuated to operate the clutch and impart rotation to the arm 140, whereby the shaft 69 is operated and the reverse movement of the carriage is started.

33 returned to its normal position the brake shoe B'6'will engage said shaft and lock the ,stop B in the position to which it has been moved by the travel of the carriage. When the carriage is returned the shoe 32 will be inoved to the left (Figure 1), thus leaving the stop relatively at the end of the message and the stop A relatively at the beginning of the message. When the shoe 32 strikes the stop screw A 4 an arm 144 carried by the shoe A-1 (Figures 1 and 10)- tripsthe latch 143, thus permitting the arm 62 to drop. upon the screw 127 and swing the arm 124 from the contact 125, thereby breaking the circuit and stopping the motor. The

parts are now in position to repeat-themes- With the parts in the position shown in Figure l, it will be assumed that the switch T5 has been closed and the telephone circuit has been energized by an incoming call which is to be answered. The magnet C2 of the relay C, upon being energized will attract the -armature 0-4, which will be swung so as to release the trigger C7 and come to rest on the shoulder C-9. The trigger C7 -will pull the arm 6-12 toward the arm C-14, thus closing the circuit to the motor 26 through'the wires R, Ca and S. This will start the motor, thereby the cylinder 25 will be rotated by means of the parts 24, 28 and 27.

Rotation will also be imparted tothe feed screw 30 by the pinion 29 and gear 31. The stylus 57, beingat rest upon the cylinder, would reproduce through the transmitter I 109, but the circuit through the switch D is open and as no dictation is placed upon the cylinder until it has revolved several rcvo- 'lutions,

no part of the message would be lost by the initial rotation of said cylinder. As the motor hasbuilt up speed the governor 114 will actuate the disk 116 whereby the switch D will be closed by the engagement of the contact arms D1 and D-2.

The telephone circuit (Figure 14) utilizes the wires T-1 and T-2 and when the switch D is closed the condenser T'-6 will cut out the relay'and cause the circuit to be closed over the wire T3, thus energizing the transmitter 109. The message will now be reproduced over the telephone circuit and the carriage 16 caused to travel on its track bar 15. When the arm 62 (Figure 6) rides off of the screw 127 (Figure 1) the contact arm 124 will engage the contact 125.

When the end of the message is reached the contact 98 will engage the contact 97 of the stop B, whereby the circuit will be closed from the wire M over wires M1, S-l, through the solenoid 8-2 and wire S-3 to the wire S. This will energize the solenoid whereby the core S--4 will be attracted, thus swinging the bell crank lever 131 against the When the arm 39 is released and the shaft- 'C7 so as to break-the motor circuit and permit the weight C5 to restore the armature. The motor circuit will, however, still be closed from the wire R over the wire R1 through contacts 124 and 125 and the wire M.

When the lever 131 is swung the yoke 136 will be actuated to engage the clutch collars 137 and 139 (Figure 2), whereby the arm 140 (Figure 4) will be rotated and the shaft 69 rocked through the engagement of the roller 141 with the cam 142. The rocking of the shaft 69 will actuate the lever 59, whereby the nut 60 will be lowered from the screw 30 and the nut 63 engaged with the thread,

64 for reversing the carriage. At the same time the arm 62 will be elevated and the latch 143 (Figure 16) will be engaged under said arm, whereby the stylus 57 will be held in its elevated position. The carriage will now be returned to its starting point and when the shoe 32 is about to engage the stop screw A4 the arm 62 will be carried over' .62 will strike'the screw 127 and swing the arm 124 out of engagement with the Contact 125 and break the motor circuit.

It will be seen that when the carriage starts upon its return movement the contacts 97 and .98 will be separated, thus de-energizing the solenoid S-'2 and permitting the spring 133 to actuate the lever 131 and disengage the clutch collars 137 and 139. How; ever, the switch D will remain closed so long as the motor is operating, but as the stylus 57 has been elevated no sound will be reproduced through the transmitter 109 while the carriage is being returned. When the motor circuit is broken and the shoe 32 engages the stop A, the motor will be stopped and further movement of the carriage prevented. When the arm 62 is released and the shaft 69 actuated by the rocking of the lever 59 the fall of the stylus 57 will be checked by the piston 82 and the cylinder 80.

Various changes in the size and shape of movable on said recording and reproducing means to receive and transmit messages carrled thereby, a switch for controlling the actuating means, means connected in the telephone circuit to actuate said switch, means for limiting the travel of said movable element after reproduction of a message and means to automatically stop the same upon its return to operative position. i

' 2. In a telephone responding apparatus, a sound recording and reproducing element adapted to record and reproduce a message,

means traversing said element for recording a message thereon and for reproducing said message, a stop for arrestingsaid traversing means to start the reproduction of said message, and a stop automatically set by the traversing means to arrest it and reverse it at the end of the message.

3. In a telephone responding apparatus, an element for recording and reproducing'sound waves, means traversing said element for re cording and reproducing sound waves thereon, an electric motor for actuating said traversing means, a motor switch for controlling,

said motor, means connected in a telephone electric .circuit for actuating said motor switch, and atransmitter connected in said telephone circuit and also connected to said reproducing means.

4. In a telephone responding apparatus, a

carriage carrying means for recording sound waves upon a recording element and also cari rying means for reproducing the recordedsound waves from said element, a motor for operating said carriage carrying means, means for traversing said carriage, means for connection in a telephone circuit for setting said actuating means to actu te, and means automatically spaced by th ing the recording operation to automatically reverse the traversing means at the end of the reproduction operation.

5. The combination defined by claim 4 and means automatically actuated by the carriage for stopping the actuating of the traverslng means when the end of. the reverse travel of thecarriage is reached.

6. In a telephone answering device, a phonograph record holder, an electric motor for. rotating the same, a carriage member carriage duradapted to support a reproducer at one side of the record and a recorder at the opposite side thereof, a feed screw for said carriage geared to said motor, electrically controlled meansupon the carriage for engaging said screw, mechanical means for controlling the motor for recording purposes, electrical means controlling the motor for reproducing purposes, means for restoring the carriage after either recording or reproduction, and contact members for limiting the travel of the carriage and .establishing circuit to disconnect the screw feed and raise the reproducer from the record.

'7. The combination defined in claim 4 with a motor switch automaticallyopened at the termination of each reproduction, and a switch controlled by the motor and connecting a'telephonic transmitter circuit to the reproducer.

8. In a telephone answering device, a phonograph record holder, an electric motor for rotating it, a carriage member adapted to support a reproducer for contact with the record, a feed screw for said carriage geared to said motor, electrically controlled means a switch controlled by the motor speed; for.

placing a telephonic transmitter circuit in communication with the reproducer.

10. In a telephone answering device, a record holder, an electric motor for rotating the same, a carriage provided with a reproducer disposed to engagethe record, a single actuating element having dual means for, moving said carriage, an electrical device for connecting and disconnecting the carriage fromsaid actuating element, a contact member upon the carriage, slidingly adjustable stops at opposite sides of said member, and a circuit connection from said member and one stop to said device for disconnecting the @raising the reproducer from the record.

11. In a telephone responding apparatus, a record holder, a motor for operating the same, a carriage provided with a reproducer disposed to engage the record and also carrying a transmitter, means for setting the motor actuating element from the carriage and to operate, a relay for connection in a-telephone circuit for actuating saida. setting means, a switch inc'ontrolof said circuit a record holder, a motor for operating the same, a carriage traversing said record holder, a recorder mounted on the carriage for engaging the record, a starting stop for the carriage, means for fastening said starting stop in adjusted positions, a reversing stop for limiting the travel of the carriage from the starting stop, means for fastening the reversing stop in adjusted positions, and manually operated means. for releasing the reversing stop fastening means to permit the carriage to move the reversing stop and automatically position it .for future operations of the carriage.

13. In a telephone responding apparatus, a record holder, a motonfor operating the same, a carriage traversing said record hold- -er,' means for traversing, said carriage, a

recorder and a reproducer carried by said carriage for engaging said record, shiftable means carried by the carriage having transmission elements for engaging said carriage traversing means, means actuated by the carriage at one endof its travel for shifting said means to bring one of said transmission elements into engagement with the carriage tra-. versing means for propelling the carriage forwardly, and means actuated by the carrla e at the opposite end of its travel for shi ting said means to bring the other transmission element into engagement with the carriage traversing means to reverse the travel of the carriage to the starting point.

14. In a telephone responding apparatus,

a recordholder, a motor for operating the P same, a carriage traversing said record holder,

a recorder mounted on the carriage for en'- gaging-the record, a starting stop for carr1age, means for fastening said starting stop 1n ad usted positions, a reversing stop for limiting the travel of the carriage'from the starting stop, means for fastening the reversing stop in adjusted positions, ,inanually operated means for releasing the reversing stop fastening meansto'permit the carriage to move the reversing stop and automatically position it for future operations of the carating the record holder, 111g said holder and having a recorder and riage, and spring tension means connected with the reversing stop for pulling the latter agalnst the carriage when said stop is released. H

15. In a telephone responding apparatus, a record holder. an electric motorfor opera carriage traversa reproducer, feed means operated. by the motor for driving the carriage forward and backward, transmission means carried by the carriage for engaging the feed means, a stop for limiting-the advance travel of the carriage, a contact c'arried by the carriage, a contact carried by the stop, for engagement with the v carriage contact electrically operated means for actuating the transmission means to reverse the carriage feed connected in series with said contacts, and means for shifting the stop contact out of the path of the carriage contact while operating the recorder.

16. The combination defined in claim. 15

and means for locking the stop and its contact in the path of the carriage contact when the reproducer is operated.

17. In a telephone responding apparatus, a record holder, a motor for operating the same, a carriage carrying a recorder and reproducer for engaging a record on the holder, a stop for the carriage start the reproducer at the beginning of each message recorded by the recorder, a reversing stop mounted in the path of the carriage and automatically positioned by the carriage to .arrest it at the end of each message, means I mounted to be set to In a telephone responding apparatus,

starting stop adjustably mounted on the support on one side of the carriage, means for locking the starting stop in adjusted positions, a reversing stop slidable on the suprt on the opposite side of the carriage and slid by the carriage during a recording operation, and means for locking the reversing stop in position on the support at the termination of the recording operation.

19. The combination defined in claim 18 and means for returning the carriage to the starting stop after each recording operation as well as after each reproducing operation.

20. The combination defined in claim 18 with means for-locking the reproducer out of operation during the recording operations and during the return of the carriage, and means for locking the recorder out of opera; tion during the reproducing operation.

21. The combination defined in claim 18 and means for releasing the reproducer to I place it in operative position at the end of each return movement of the carriage.

22. The combination defined in claim 18 and means for cushioning the release of the reproducer.

23. In a telephone responding apparatus, a record holder, an electric motor for rotating the same, an electric switch in circuit with the motor, a carriage having a recorderfor engaging a record on the record holder, transmission means operated by the motor for advancing the carriage, a stop in the path of the carriage and slid thereby, a lock connected with the stop for locking it against gaging t I means for operating the transmission device movement, and a commoliugperating member manual] operated for and closing the motor switch.

24. The combination defined in claim 23 with a starting stop having locking means,

and a manually operated means for unlocking said starting stop and. disconnecting the transmission means, whereby the stop may be adjusted and the carriage manually moved.

25. In a telephone responding apparatus, a record holder, a slidable carriage having a. recorder and a reproducer, a feed screw, a motor for driving the holder and the screw, a shiftable transmission device on the carriage,

having elements for engaging the screw to versing threads, a motor for driving the record holder and the screw, a shiftable trans mission device mounted on the carriage and having elements for alternately engaging the advance and reverse threads of the screw,

to engage the advance threads of the feed screw, a member .for operating the transmission to engage the reverse threads of the I screw, a clutch operated by the motor for 1m parting movement to the operating member, a lever'for'actuating the clutch, electrlcally operated means for actuating the lever, and a switch connected in the circuit of said means and closed'by .the carriage at the end of its travel.

- 27'. In a telephone responding apparatus,

a record ho1der,;-a slidable carriage having a recorder anda-a-reproduc'er each provided.

ocking the stop ,switch including sprin the reverse nut of. the lever with the reverse.

means, an armextending rom thetransmissiondevice for shifting the same, a motor switch connected in the electric circuit of the motor and including a fixed contact and a movable contact, an operating lever, means carried by the movable contact to be engaged by the lever for swinging said contact to open the switch, andmeans on. the carriagev for swinging said lever to shift the transmis-' sion device and to o erate the motor sw tch.

29. .The combination defined in claim 28 with a stop adjustably mounted for arresting the carriage in starting position and carrying the motor switch,'a supaport on which the stop is slidably mounted, erated means stop.

30. responding apparatus, a relay for connection in a telephone circuit including an electromagnet, an armature pivoted to be attracted by the magnet, a spring'actuated trigger having a shoulder for engaging under the armature, means for swinging the armature from the magnet when the shoulder of the trigger is moved therefrom, means for swinging the trigger Y to release the armature, a motor contacts normally separated and a connection between the trigger and one of the contacts for engaging it with the other contact when the. armature is attracted bythe-magnet and the trigger released.- a g 3 In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

. JAMES L. COLLINS.

nd manually o for locking and releasing t e with a hinged stylus, a rotatable shaft having an operator, a shoe supporting the carriage and slidable on said shaft, a feed screw having advance and reverse threads, a motdr for driving the record holder and the screw, a.

' transmission lever pivoted on the carriage and havinghalf nuts for alternately engaging the threads of the screw, coiled spring mounted on the carriage and I cting upon the lever to force one of its nuts into'engagement with the advance threads of the screw, a lifter for. the recorder stylus mounted on the carriage, means actuated by the rotatable shaft foroperating the "recorder lifter, a lifter for the reproducer stylus mounted on the carriage, means operated-by therotatable shaft .for operating thereproducer lifter, a rock shaft engagin the transmission lever, and

means for me 'ng the rock shaft to engage As a sub-combination in a telephone its 

